Buna feels underestimated in move up to 3A

Updated 11:53 am, Monday, August 13, 2012

Head coach Bradley Morgan works with the Buna Cougars on Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Buna.

Head coach Bradley Morgan works with the Buna Cougars on Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Buna.

Photo: David Henry

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Head coach Bradley Morgan works with the Buna Cougars on Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Buna.

Head coach Bradley Morgan works with the Buna Cougars on Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Buna.

Photo: David Henry

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The Buna football team practices on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

The Buna football team practices on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Photo: David Henry

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The Buna football team practices on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

The Buna football team practices on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Photo: David Henry

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The Buna football team practices on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

The Buna football team practices on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Photo: David Henry

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Glenn Patrick of the Buna Cougars

Glenn Patrick of the Buna Cougars

Photo: David Henry

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Buna offensive and defensive lineman Bryce Tippett

Buna offensive and defensive lineman Bryce Tippett

Photo: David Henry

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The Buna football team practices on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

The Buna football team practices on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Photo: David Henry

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Buna feels underestimated in move up to 3A

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Out of all the games on his schedule, one that concerns West Orange-Stark head football coach Cornel Thompson the most is the Oct. 26 district matchup on the road at Buna.

He's afraid his team will be underwhelmed by the atmosphere - Buna's small 5,000 seat stadium overlook Buna, who moves up from Class 2A to 3A this year.

The Cougars, who went 7-3 last year but missed the playoffs in District 10-2A-I, think teams are underestimating this year because they were previously in a smaller classification - and they are using that as motivation.

"We have a lot of adversity," said senior safety Glenn Patrick. "A lot of people doubt us because these teams are bigger, faster and stronger. That's nothing new to us."

Buna was previously in Class 3A for four years in the early 2000s.

Buna defeated two Class 3A teams, Orangefield and Hamshire-Fannett, while a 2A team last year.

"Even though we played of good teams last year, teams aren't going to show us respect because we don't have the numbers they have, the size they have," said senior offensive guard and defensive lineman Chris Champion.